Obama Signs Ban on LGBTQ Discrimination by Federal Contractors

Private-sector non-discrimination legislation still stalled in House

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President Barack Obama speaking at the Democratic National Convention in September of 2012 - Photo: Joeff Davis

President Barack Obama today announced plans to sign an executive order that will protect LGBTQ employees of federal
contractors from discrimination based on sexual orientation or
gender identity, a move that covers 20 percent of the American workforce.

Executive
Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Rea Carey said the
executive order will be a major step forward.

“Now millions of
people will have the economic security they need to provide for their families,”
Carey said in a press release. “This decision is good for LGBTQ people, good
for our economy and good for America.”

The
initiative was a campaign promise in 2008, and LGBTQ groups have pressured the president
to issue the order for years.

Obama
announced this decision before appearing at a Democratic gay-rights fundraiser
on Tuesday and as greater protection stalls in Congress.

The
Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would protect all American workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation or
gender identity passed the Senate in November but has since been halted in the
House.

According
to the Washington Post, 24 of the top 25 federal contractors have
nondiscrimination policies towards sexual orientation, and 13 of those policies
include gender identity. So while the executive order will cover 20 percent of
the workforce, most are already protected.

Although
many private employers offer protection, discrimination is still on the books
in many states.

In
29 states, it is still legal for employers to discriminate on the basis of
sexual orientation; and in 32 states, gender identity is grounds for
discrimination.

Carey
stressed the work that remains.

“Unfortunately,
many of us who don't work for federal contractors will still lack workplace
protections,” she said. “Now we must redouble our efforts for the urgent
passage of state employment protections and strong federal legislation.”